By Isle of Wight Observer
Grandmaster Matthew Wadsworth won the Isle of Wight Masters Chess Tournament, after a dramatic and closely-contested nine-round tournament following a tie-break.
Wadsworth shared first place with Tobias Koelle and Matthew Turner, with all three players ending the event tied, with seven out of nine points, after an intense final round. With the scores level, tie-breaks were required to determine the winner, Wadsworth edging ahead to lift the trophy, while Koelle and Turner also finished as joint winners of the tournament.
The trio’s shared winning score reflected the fiercely competitive nature of the event, where the lead changed hands several times, and the title race remained undecided until the final games concluded.
More than 300 players from around the world, and over 450 visitors attended the week-long festival at Ryde School during half-term.
The event featured competitors representing around 30 international federations, ranging from elite Grandmasters to young rising talents, and local players competing on home soil.
A large chasing group finished just half-a-point behind on 6.5/9, including top seed Gawain Maroroa Jones, while Trisha Kanyamarala secured the women’s event after a standout performance. Having already achieved all requirements for the Woman Grandmaster (WGM) title, she is shortly expected to become Ireland’s first ever WGM upon official confirmation.
Local players, Neil Dickenson, David Collyer, Clive Bowley, Harry Vernon, and Francis Best, all took part, facing Grandmasters and International Masters across the nine demanding rounds.
Alongside competitive play, the event hosted free community chess sessions in Ryde, welcoming newcomers and families to try the game. Daily casual chess events and coaching sessions allowed local residents to meet visiting players and learn from experienced competitors. A group event also gave Islanders the chance to play six Grandmasters in a free meeting at Yelf’s Hotel.
Tournament director, David Lightfoot, said the growth of the event reflected a wider surge in chess popularity, saying: “It has been fantastic to see players and visitors coming to the
Island from across the world, but just as important has been the involvement of local players and families. Chess is growing incredibly quickly, and it is exciting to see the Isle of Wight becoming part of that story.
“With strong international participation, growing local engagement, and hundreds of visitors contributing to the local economy, the Island tournament continues to establish itself as one of the UK’s leading chess festivals.”
